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We want to see what you've caught on Lobster Lake.Frequently Asked Questions About Lobster Lake, MN
- How big is Lobster Lake?
- How deep is Lobster Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Lobster Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Lobster Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Lobster Lake area?
- Are there topographical lake maps available Lobster Lake?
- Are there boat launches on Lobster Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Lobster Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Lobster Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Lobster Lake?
How big is Lobster Lake?
How deep is Lobster Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Lobster Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Bluntnose Minnow, Cisco (Tullibee), Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Johnny Darter, Mimic Shiner, Spottail Shiner and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Lobster Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Lobster Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there topographical lake maps available Lobster Lake?
Are there boat launches on Lobster Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Lobster Lake?
What aquatic invasive species are found in Lobster Lake?
Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.
History & Status of the Fishery
Lobster Lake is a 1,329-acre natural basin located five miles west of Alexandria. The lake has a maximum depth of 65.0 feet and an average depth of 15.0 feet. The unique lobster-shaped basin has a shoreline length of 17.3 miles. Lobster Lake is a moderately fertile basin. Water quality and clarity are good. Summer water transparency measurements average 9.1 feet. The lake becomes thermally stratified during summer months. Depth to the thermocline was approximately 15.0 feet at time of the July 22 survey. Dissolved oxygen concentrations below 18.0 feet were too low to support game fish.
The many points, arms, bays, and islands add complexity to basin morphology and provide diverse, high-quality fish habitat. Submergent and emergent vegetation is common along much of the shoreline, particularly in shallow bays. Habitat attributes and the many miles of shoreline make Lobster Lake a productive and popular fishing destination.
Lobster Lake is one of the three lakes within the Glenwood Fisheries Management Area supporting a muskellunge fishery. Fingerlings are stocked in even-numbered years to compensate for annual mortality and sustain a low-density population of large, prized game fish. Ice-out netting in May resulted in the capture of 109 muskellunge. Size of captures varied from 20.7 to 52.0 inches and averagde 41.5 inches. Size structure will likely improve in the near future as a large proportion (36%) of sampled fish measured between 39.4 and 41.3 inches.
Northern pike catches averaged 5.9 fish/gillnet which describes near-average population density for similar lakes. Length of captures varied from 15.0 to 31.6 inches. Pike greater than 30.0 inches are rare in Lobster Lake. Mean length and weight of captures was 21.6 inches and 2.2 pounds.
Lobster Lake supports a popular largemouth bass fishery. Largemouth bass are abundant, but don't grow very rapidly. Due to poor growth, fishing quality in terms of size of the catch is only fair. Average length of sampled fish was 10.6 inches in length. Only 7% of all sampled bass exceeded 15.0 inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest the overabundance of small- to medium-sized bass to improve overall growth rates. Smallmouth bass was sampled first sampled in Lobster Lake in 2013.
Walleye catches in gillnets averaged 5.4 fish/gillnet. The 2013 catch rate exceeded catch rates from the five preceding surveys. A moderate increase in population density is partially related to near-annual stockings since 2000. Sizes of captures varied from 9.1 to 27.0 inches. Average length and weight of captured walleyes was 14.0 inches and 1.1 pounds. Similar to largemouth bass and northern pike, walleyes grow slowly. The oldest walleyes caught were 11 years old. These three capptures averaged only 21.9 inches in total length.
Bluegill catch rates have been inconsistent and may be related to irregular annual recruitment of young fish into the population. Average trapnet catch rates (20.0 bluegill/net) during the 2013 survey were within the range of expected catches rates for similar lakes. Bluegills don't grow fast. Age distribution of the population sample extended to age 11, but none of the captures exceeded 8.0 inches in length. Average size of sampled bluegills was 6.3 inches. Anglers can take advantage of a surplus of medium-sized bluegills.
Black crappie catches averaged 1.6 fish/trapnet. This modest catch rate is considered an under-estimate of actual abundance. Many adult crappies had moved offshore into deeper, cooler water by time of the mid-July survey. The largest crappie measured was 10.6 inches in length.
Notes:
The east end of Lobster Lake is approximately five miles west of Alexandria. A single public access site is located on the very southwestern end of the lake or approximately 10 miles from Alexandria.
Lobster Lake was designated as Muskellunge Waters in 1972. Northern pike spearing was soon prohibited to minimize potential misidentification and spearing mortality of young muskellunge. The winter spearing restriction was repealed and lifted December 2013.
What is the average air temp for Lobster Lake?
Are there any state parks near Lobster Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Lobster Lake...DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
Indian Lake | 0.9 mi | 76 | 38 ft |
Round Lake | 1.5 mi | 81 | 30 ft |
Grill Lake | 1.7 mi | 67 | 11 ft |
Mill Lake | 1.8 mi | 450 | 40 ft |
Crooked Lake | 2.0 mi | 281 | 35 ft |
Cook Lake | 2.1 mi | 101 | 50 ft |
Gilbert Lake | 2.1 mi | 202 | 17 ft |
Lake Mina | 2.7 mi | 411 | 123 ft |
Nelson Lake | 3.5 mi | 86 | 52 ft |
Grants Lake | 3.6 mi | 177 | 60 ft |